About ANCs and 5a09

What is an anc?

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners primarily serve as a sort of liaison between residents in a single member district (SMD), all of which have about 2,000 residents, and the District government, advocating on behalf of residents to obtain services like trash removal, getting a pothole filled, issues with traffic, and countless others. They also can use the bullhorn the position provides to advocate for changes in a neighborhood, like pushing the Dept. of Transportation to make safety enhancements for traffic, or advocating for more affordable housing in a new development. The DC government also has to consult with ANCs on certain changes to a neighborhood, and must give the opinions of the local ANC “great weight” when making decisions. “Great weight” requires acknowledgment of the ANC recommendations, and requires the DC government to respond to all issues and concerns raised by the ANC.

Single Member district 5a09

SMD 5A09 is a small, brand-new district, largely carved out of the old 5A08 as a result of redistricting following the 2020 census. The borders are, roughly, South Dakota Avenue to the northeast, 8th Street and Emerson Street to the southeast and south, Farragut Street NE and the Red Line to the west, and Riggs Road NE to the north (see map). It includes the Aventine and Modern at Art Place apartment complexes near the Fort Totten metro, four blocks of rowhouses to the south of Fort Circle park in the North Michigan Park neighborhood, as well as the Food and Friends building at Riggs and South Dakota, and the new phase of the Modern at Art Place complex being constructed now along South Dakota.